Alcohol based products on the market today contain greater than 60 % alcohol which is a skin irritant, flammable and the persistent use of which has been reported to decrease the ability to fight off infections. Hygiene 24 contains the active material HD5™ (stable 3-trihydroxysilyl propyl dimethyl octadecyl ammonium chloride). HD5 is an advanced-generation quat that is broad-spectrum, food-safe and environment-friendly. It is effective not only against bacteria, but also viruses, fungi including molds, algae and protozoa.

On application to the skin, Hygiene 24 forms an invisible, odorless, moisturizing coating-harmless to human-friendly but microbe-deadly--that will not wash off and continues to be effective against microbial pathogens for up to 24 hours or more.

Advantages

• Forms a protective antimicrobial barrier on the skin.

• Antimicrobial activity remains through a minimum of ten hand washings.

• Sanitizes skin and nails.

• Effective against viruses, bacteria, fungi, algae and protozoa.

• Adheres to skin and is effective for up to 24 hours or longer.

• Moisturizes the skin and prevents drying, redness and chapping.

Benefits of using Hygiene 24

• Labor savings, both time and money, because of less frequent disinfection needed.

• Highest compliance with handrub goals with a single application.

• Provides unsurpassed antimicrobial protection for hands.

• Inhibits skin to skin transfer of germs.

• Gentle, moisturizing hand sanitizer.

• Easy, rapid and conveninent once-daily application.

• Colorless product is invisible on application and will not stain skin or clothing.

Most conventional hand sanitizers are gels comprised of ethyl alcohol in a thickened organic base. Their activity is primarily antibacterial, not broad-spectrum antimicrobial and is limited to their presence on the skin which immediately ceases when evaporated from the skin. After application, they leave the skin surface susceptible to reinfection. Their antibacterial properties are not persistent after application.

Hygiene 24 is state-of-the-art technology and is unlike any product for topical skin application on the market today. On application to the hands, an antimicrobial, polymeric film is formed which is substantive and will remain through a minimum of ten hand washings. The HD5™ film formed on application of Hygiene 24 retains its broad spectrum antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal activity for up to 24 hours or more. It derives its antimicrobial activity through contact with the pathogen and causing disruption of the pathogens cellular wall, a process termed lysis. The HD5™ film is not incorporated into the pathogen cell and therefore no increased drug type resistance by the pathogen is acquired. The HD5™ ingredient contains a harmless silicon material that orients to the skin surface during application to produce a protective, moisturizing film.

HD5™, the active ingredient, is totally unique in structure, effectiveness, persistence and application. It is a material which chemically combines proven antimicrobial chemistry with the protective, moisturizing capabilities of silicones in a single molecular compound. The water soluble HD5™ transforms to an invisible macropolymeric, polyionic layer on application to the skin which is not removed by repeated hand washing or rinsing. Not being removed by water, Hygiene 24 offers continuing antimicrobial protection coupled with long term moisturizing qualities. Hygiene 24 kills not only bacteria, but also viruses and fungi which can cause ringworm, and fungal nail infections. Application to the skin not only kills and inactivates bacteria, viruses and fungi, but also prevents reinfection. Hygiene 24 does not build or increase antibacterial or antimicrobial resistance in pathogens on repeated or prolonged use.

The Big Difference

The big difference between Hygiene 24 antimicrobial coating and all other hand sanitizers on the market today is the other hand sanitizers are primarily ethyl or isopropyl alcohol formulations which are largely antibacterial in nature. While they will kill selected bacteria on application to the skin, they offer no residual germ killing properties. Application of these products to your hands will not only dry out your skin, they offer a fresh surface for germs to re-infect as soon as your hands are dry. Hygiene 24 is the only product that remains on your hands for all day protection. The problem with using other hand sanitizer products is that without the antimicrobial barrier provided by Hygiene 24, they just become a new breeding ground for more germs. Hygiene 24 with HD5™ protects you from all types of germs all day long and actually makes your hands germ fighting machines. This technology is so unique and important that it is patent protected.

Hygiene 24 is clear and invisible on the skin when applied. It will not stain clothing. It contains 18% ethyl alcohol and is phthalate free.

Hygiene Pro antimicrobial surface coating is safe for use with people, animals and plants. It is non-oxidative so is safe for application to a wide variety of surfaces and materials including fabrics, carpet, upholstery, drapes, linens, wood, plastics, stone, porcelain and metals. Hygiene Pro contains no chlorine and on microbial interaction will not produce halogenated by-products of disinfection such as carcinogenic trihalomathanes.

Application to surfaces produces an invisible, transparent and durable antimicrobial film that will not transfer on contact with other surfaces and is non-leaching on contact with water or solvents. Once applied, the bonded antimicrobial film is non-volatile, odorless, and colorless and produces no chemical vapors.

Hygiene Pro has been found to be effective against a huge array of microbes, including and certainly not limited to:

• - Enterobacter strains

• - Levivirus (enterovirus family)

• - Staphylococcus aureus

• - Methycillin resistant Staphylococcus (MRSA)

• - Escherichia coli (E. coli)

• - Vancomycin resistant Enterococcus (VRE)

• - Legionella pneumonia

• - Citrobacter Freudii (MS2)

• - Clostridium Difficile (C Diff)

• - Various Salmonella strains

• - Listeria monoctogenes

• - Black mould

• - Influenza A

HYGIENE PRO IS A TECHNOLOGICAL REVOLUTION IN VIRAL, BACTERIAL AND FUNGAL CONTROL.

Hygiene Pro is approved by the EPA for the following uses in commercial applicators and in homeowners in residential settings. Hygiene Pro is a durable coating that inhibits the growth of odor causing bacteria, bacteria which cause staining and discoloration, fungi (mold and mildew), and algae on a variety of surfaces, including air filters and air filter materials for furnaces, air conditioners, air purification devices, automobiles, and recirculating air handling systems; aquarium filters and filter materials, composed of sand and zeolite; sheets, blankets and bedspreads; polyurethane foam for household, industrial, and institutional sponges and mops; shoe insoles, athletic and casual shoes; carpets and draperies; vinyl wallpaper for nonfood contact washable walls; roofing materials-defined as shingles, roofing granules, wood shakes, felt, stone and synthetic overcoats; commercial and residential interior wood framing and interior new construction materials composed of wood, wood products and wood composites , including flake board (OSB), plywood, wallboard, particle board and cardboard. Test staining and color-fastness of fabrics by treating and drying a small concentrated area prior to application.

Method of Antimicrobial Inactivation

Hygiene Pro inactivates and kills pathogens through the process of lysis, wherein contact of the pathogens' cellular wall with the Hygiene Pro film produces cellular wall disruption. The contacting cellular wall is broken or ruptured and the microbe is no longer able to control its internal hydrostatic pressure, resulting in implosion or explosion of the species, depending on ambient pressure. No transfer of chemical or chemical residues occurs during this process. The Hygiene Pro film is not depleted and will continue to lyse cells. There is no increased pathogen resistance to Hygiene Pro on subsequent exposure and no increased mutagenicity.

Efficacy Data Summary

Hygiene Pro is a true broad-spectrum antimicrobial material. Independent testing has demonstrated elimination and inactivation of the following pathogen classes in under 3 minutes including mortality resistant pathogenic waterborne solutions.

• Bacteria - Gram Positive Bacteria, Gram Negative Bacteria.

• Fungi - All types, including molds, spores and yeasts.

• Viruses

• Algae

• Protozoa

HYGIENE PRO APPLICATIONS AND ANTIMICROBIAL RESULTS

Hygiene Pro is a water-soluble monomer in solution that converts on application and drying to a bonded polymeric, insoluble surface film. An unexpected benefit to the binding of the active ingredient in Hygiene Pro to a wide variety of substrates is the great increase in spectrum of antiviral, antibacterial and fungal killing power.

Hygiene Pro offers the following features and benefits, resulting in dramatic cost savings and quantum leap in infection control:

• Treatment imparts good durability, broad spectrum, biostatic activity to the surface of a wide variety of substrates

• It is leach-resistant, non-migrating and not consumed by microorganisms

• Effective against gram positive and gram negative bacteria, fungi, algae, yeasts and viruses

• Durable antimicrobial surfaces can be attained using Hygiene Pro.

• Prevents discoloration and deterioration caused by bacteria, fungi, algae and mold

• Inhibits the growth of odor causing bacteria and mildew

• Prolongs the life of an article by inhibiting the growth of bacteria and mildew

• Provides a treatment that is not destroyed by repeated cleaning or washing

• Resists odors through chemical protection rather than masking or trapping

• Provides hygienic freshness

• Compatible with all substrates listed under approved uses

Following are the results of various studies selected to demonstrate the effectiveness of Hygiene Pro treatment as illustrated by antimicrobial reductions of pathogens produced by the Hygiene Pro active ingredient on selected items and articles.

Reduction of Airborne Contamination Resulting from Hygiene Pro Carpet Treatment

Building reported illness (BRI) and sick building syndrome (SBS) have been attributed to a wide array of airborne allergens, irritants, infectives and toxicants in the non-industrial workplace. Airborne transmission of respiratory infections has been demonstrated for bacteria, fungi and viruses. Hypersensitivity resulting from exposure to airborne mold and fungi is very well known. Although perceived to be an outdoor seasonal event, airborne mold spores, metabolites and fragments are also present in buildings in high levels as evidenced by the decrease in symptoms of persons occupying those buildings when moved away from the contaminated environments. Carpeting contains much higher counts of microfungal contamination (as contained in dust particles) than dust from bare floors. Reduction of fungal contamination with Hygiene Pro application in carpeted areas will therefore provide a safer, healthier environment for occupants.

Carpet treated with Hygiene Pro® offers the following benefits:

• The treatment is durable and resistant to repeated washing, cleaning and shampooing of the carpet.

• It has a broad spectrum of biological activity as bacteria and are killed and rendered incapable of increasing in numbers when they contact the treated surfaces.

• It is safe for humans, pets and the environment when used as directed.

• Clinical evaluations demonstrate that treatment will effectively reduce and inhibit growth of odor causing bacteria.

• Bacteria are incapable of adapting to the presence of Hygiene Pro antimicrobial product on treated surfaces. Bacteria will not develop "drug resistance".

• Fungal contamination is eliminated or greatly reduced following treatment of carpets and rugs.

• Airborne fungal contamination from carpet infestation is reduced to nearly insignificant levels after treatment.

• A combination of carpet treatment and HVAC treatments with Hygiene Pro would be expected to almost completely eliminate bacterial and fungal infestations in enclosed, treated areas.

• Hygiene Pro treatments are not consumed by microorganisms and therefore provide durable, long lasting antimicrobial protection.

• Treatments produce an antimicrobial coating on carpets that bonds to the carpet fibers and is not removed by washing, cleaning or shampooing.

• Cleaning and shampooing of Hygiene Pro treated carpets and rugs with commercial cleaners and shampoos does not significantly reduce the antimicrobial effectiveness of the treatment.

• Hygiene Pro provides an odorless, colorless, invisible antimicrobial treatment for carpeting and rugs.

• Hygiene Pro is a water-based solution that contains no additives, stabilizers, colorants or fragrances to diminish its activity or add environmental pollutants during application.

ANTIMICROBIAL TREATMENT FOR FABRICS AND TEXTILES

Treatment of textiles and fabrics with Hygiene Pro followed by thorough drying to bond the Hygiene Pro active agent to the material produces a durable, antimicrobial coating, called a finish, to the fabric. The bonded finish protects against odor causing bacteria, mildew and mold which can cause deterioration and discoloration of the material. Hygiene Pro is effective against a broad spectrum of bacteria. Odor causing bacteria commonly found in fabrics and apparel such as sheeting, hosiery, outerwear, underwear non-woven fabrics, etc. are effectively reduced by treated fabrics.

ACTIVITY AGAINST BACTERIA AND FUNGI

When Hygiene Pro is applied to hard surfaces and dried, a durable antimicrobial film is imparted to the surface that is not partitioned (leached) into water and to produce harmful environmental effects. The film is effective against a wide variety of organisms that are contained in and solvated by water molecules. While it is known that the antimicrobial action of Hygiene Pro treated surfaces is exhibited on contact in the presence of moisture, the effectiveness of the treated surface against diluted pathogens was not previously determined. To demonstrate the effectiveness and rapid antimicrobial activity of the treated surfaces, the following studies were performed.

To determine efficacy of treatment on different hard, nonporous substrates, granite, garnet, sand, zeolites, gravel and marble were spray treated with Hygiene Pro and dried. Chemical testing confirmed all substrates to have a substantial, uniform coating of Hygiene Pro active material. As all substrates are siliceous materials, zeolites were chosen to be utilized in the studies. Testing was conducted on 3 separate test stations with three challenges per station to determine average microbial reductions.

Bacteria
Three independent challenge tests for each of three separate test apparatus for each of the bacteria, Klebsiella terriena and E. coli, were performed using dilute solutions of the test microbes passed over treated substrates for a total contact time of <3 minutes/challenge. Samples of the water after contact with the treated substrates were collected and examined using membrane filtration (0.45 micron) techniques. Results are reported in the following table.

MOLD & FUNGAL REMEDIATION AND PREVENTION

Water damage, warm, damp spaces and sustained high humidity are intrinsically tied to mold growth. Molds typically grow in buildings affected by water damage and have been found in homes, hospitals, schools and office buildings. It is estimated that about 50 to 100 common indoor mold types have the potential for creating health problems. Exposure to mold has been identified as a potential cause of many health problems including asthma, sinusitis and infections. Molds play a major role in cases of sick building syndrome and related illness.

Modern methods of construction produce more airtight, energy efficient buildings and building materials are often composite materials containing adhesives and cellulose materials. Particle board, wall board, medium density fiberboard and paper covered gypsum are welcome sites for mold and fungi which use cellulose as their primary food source. Mold in homes and buildings are often first detected by a musty, earthy odor which is a blend of mycotoxins (fungal metabolites) and microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs). These are secondary metabolites produced by fungi and will also attract insects. Mycotoxins are fungal metabolites that pose a health risk to humans and animals. The best known mycotoxin is aflatoxins which are toxic and carcinogenic. They are typically found on moldy corn or peanuts and ingestion causes liver failure and even death in humans and animals. Common indoor molds and their spores are airborne, much less concentrated per dose and typically do not produce such drastic effects. However, it is medically unclear when such an exposure threshold level is crossed. The most common indoor molds are Penicillium, Aspergillus, Stachyrbotrys, and Chaetomium all of which produce toxic metabolites of varying potencies.

Mold and fungal contamination are also very destructive to the surface and surroundings on which they grow. As they consume cellulose as a food source, surfaces on which they grow are destroyed. Staining of contacting surfaces is also a major problem commonly requiring substrate destroying bleaching agents such as bleach or peroxides to remove.

Resistance of Hygiene Pro Treated Construction Materials to Mold

The following studies demonstrate the resistance of Hygiene Pro treated materials utilized in construction and home remodeling to mold infestation. Various indicated items were spray treated with Hygiene Pro and dried following label instructions. All test samples were run in duplicate. Laboratory analysis for mold infestation was performed using a humidity chamber maintained at 90+/- 2° F and 97% humidity with an exposure time of 4 weeks. Samples were preconditioned for 4 days at 70-77° F and 50% relative humidity before exposure. Control samples were Pine Sapwood and gypsum panels. Mold cultures employed in the testing were Aureobasidium pullulans (ATCC 9348), Aspergillus niger (ATCC 6275) and Penicillium (ATCC 9849).

Samples were rated at intervals of 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks. Ratings were based on ASTM D 3274-50 using 100X magnification standards.

TABLE D
Resistance to Mold Growth
Ratings: 0 = No Growth 10 = Sample completely Covered